What is that "thing" on the chicken's tail??

[Lunachick]

I've noticed when my chickens preen, they go to the top of their tailfeathers and preen or rub their faces on this little protrusion that sticks straight up and is only about 1/2 inch tall and rubbery looking !? What is that and why is it there? I've seen this on three of my chooks......tried looking it up.....no success.

And why do they do this?

 

[blue fire]

It is an oil gland. they rub oil on their feathers to keep them clean and waterproof

 

[Katy]

It's an oil gland.

 

[silkiechicken]

Ditto. Source of oil!

 

[Lunachick]

Geez, I had no idea! Thank you for the replies......

 

[elmo]

The scientific term is uropygial gland, but that's such a mouthful. Preen gland is much easier to pronounce!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uropygial_gland